Hey fam! Happy Halloween!
This week was good! On Wednesday, I went down to Barcelona to pick up my trainee. Some of my favorite Hermanas were there as well so it was super fun to see them. The meeting was really great, as they always are. My trainees name is Hermana Ratliff! She's super cute. She's a red-head and from California. She said it's called Victorville. Wherever that is haha. I'm sure it's cute.
We have had a lot of fun together this week! She speaks Spanish pretty well so she's picking it up fast. It's always fun to be with new missionaries because they have lots of energy and excitement. Which is exactly what Badalona needs.
We had a fun Halloween party on Friday night, we helped set up for it on Friday morning. Lots of people came actually, including one of our investigators, Eduardo, so that was good. I think he really had fun. Halloween isn't super big here though. It more of an American thing, and Spaniards aren't really for that haha. But we saw a few kids dressed up.
Yesterday we had concilio. When I got there, I asked President Pace if I could talk to him about his advice in having more success in this area. We had a really nice chat, we both shed a few tears, and at the end he told me that we can do a fast together this next weekend for my area. For me, that was huge. The fact that with all the things he has to do, he would take time to help me in my area, it meant a lot to me. He is a really incredible person. The concilio was really great. It always is a great spiritual boost. It always reminds me of how lucky I am to be here. Oh I got to see Hermana Vance too! She's a sister training leader now. That was fun.
Anyway, were doing the best we can here in Badalona. I'm growing a lot, that's for sure. I've never felt so close to my Savior, and for that, I will always be grateful.
Have a great week!
Hermana Reid
PS I forgot to tell you I think.. but remember Matilde and Frank from Valencia? They both got baptized last transfer! Miracles. Sometimes they don't come when you want them to, but they always come. The best.
Showing posts with label Baptism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Baptism. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Friday, October 3, 2014
Badalona - Week One
HI FAM!
So life is good in BADALONA! This week was super interesting. So remember how our piso is super small? It's literally... tiny. Haha. We finally got four mattresses for all of us but there's hardly even space on the floor for them, it's like a hotel room, but it's cool, we are nice and cozy. We actually went looking for another piso and found a super sweet one. We told the office about it and they said they would start doing the paperwork for it, so hopefully we can move into it this week, it's empty so it should be quick.
This week was good, poor Hermana Tyler got here on Thursday and was super super sick. So we were in piso all week haha. Literally. The first time we left was Saturday night. So I don't have much to say about this week. When we went out on Saturday, we went to a baptism of the elders because they asked us to sing, and then we went to ward council. Sunday was super fun to meet everyone. There aren't many members, because they just split the ward, but they are all super sweet and super excited to have Hermanas in their ward. We have eating visits everyday....
They were all excited to see Hermana Tyler again because she was here a year ago to open the first ward. It's getting colder here now, it's raining right now. It's the first time I've seen rain in a year really. It rained once in Valencia in my four months there and I think it maybe rained twice in Zaragoza. It's kinda cold here, but that's cuz I'm used to the blazing hot of Valencia. Our area is SUPER ghetto. But for real. Last night we were looking for a less active family that live in this zombie appocalipse building.. haha not really, but that's what it looked like.
Anyway, I'm excited to get to work here! Hermana Tyler is super awesome. AND SHE'S A RUNNER! WOOOO! She's super sweet, and we laugh a lot together. I have been so blessed with amazing companions!!
Also Matilde and Frank (from Valencia) are going to get baptized this next Saturday!!! MIRACLES! I'm so sad I won't be there, but I'm so happy for them!!!
Love you all!!
Hermana Reid
This is with H. Vance last week.
These are from last week. Matilde and a Hermana from the church and my favorite Chilean family! The Alverez fam
So life is good in BADALONA! This week was super interesting. So remember how our piso is super small? It's literally... tiny. Haha. We finally got four mattresses for all of us but there's hardly even space on the floor for them, it's like a hotel room, but it's cool, we are nice and cozy. We actually went looking for another piso and found a super sweet one. We told the office about it and they said they would start doing the paperwork for it, so hopefully we can move into it this week, it's empty so it should be quick.
This week was good, poor Hermana Tyler got here on Thursday and was super super sick. So we were in piso all week haha. Literally. The first time we left was Saturday night. So I don't have much to say about this week. When we went out on Saturday, we went to a baptism of the elders because they asked us to sing, and then we went to ward council. Sunday was super fun to meet everyone. There aren't many members, because they just split the ward, but they are all super sweet and super excited to have Hermanas in their ward. We have eating visits everyday....
They were all excited to see Hermana Tyler again because she was here a year ago to open the first ward. It's getting colder here now, it's raining right now. It's the first time I've seen rain in a year really. It rained once in Valencia in my four months there and I think it maybe rained twice in Zaragoza. It's kinda cold here, but that's cuz I'm used to the blazing hot of Valencia. Our area is SUPER ghetto. But for real. Last night we were looking for a less active family that live in this zombie appocalipse building.. haha not really, but that's what it looked like.
Anyway, I'm excited to get to work here! Hermana Tyler is super awesome. AND SHE'S A RUNNER! WOOOO! She's super sweet, and we laugh a lot together. I have been so blessed with amazing companions!!
Also Matilde and Frank (from Valencia) are going to get baptized this next Saturday!!! MIRACLES! I'm so sad I won't be there, but I'm so happy for them!!!
Love you all!!
Hermana Reid
This is with H. Vance last week.
These are from last week. Matilde and a Hermana from the church and my favorite Chilean family! The Alverez fam
Doin the stiff arm with Juan!
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Zaragoza - Week six
Hi FAMILY!!
JESSIE GOT BAPTIZED THIS WEEK!!! We literally had an incredible week. I don't even know where to start. So we saw Jessie Wednesday, and she had had the goal to be baptized this weekend but hadn't given us a definite no or yes yet. But on Wednesday she officially decided she would go through with it. We were PUMPED OUTTA OUR MINDS. Anyway, so things got willllldd cuz we had to plan the baptism in like three days haha. We called all the members to invite them and give talks and all that and got everything all figured out super nicely actually, we didn't have any issues. Annnndd after she told us the water was perfectly warm, gooo us!
The baptism was super incredible. Jessie really needed that in her life. One of the other elders baptized her, it was his first time and he totally nailed it. She bore her testimony afterwards about how she has been reading and praying a lot and how she has just felt a lot of peace about being baptized. I was so so happy! We met her only a couple weeks ago, and just like that, she was baptized. It just proves how much God is preparing people to be baptized. And Hermana Findlay was a genius and decided to do a voice recording with Jessie, so I'll send those too. You'll love to hear them.
Also another miracle this week.. so a few weeks ago I told you about a man named Carlos that we met in the street. At first he didn't want to talk to us, but I asked if we could pray with him and he let us. Afterwards, he let us take his number. Well on Saturday he showed up for english class! We talked to him afterwards and helped him a little bit more and then asked if we could share a scripture with him. He was super accepting of everything so we invited him to church the next day too. We got there right as the meeting started, and as I looked around, I couldn't see him there, I was way bummed. I sat and prayed and prayed to God that he would come. But then after the meeting ended, we found him! He had been there the whole time! We just didn't see him when we walked in. He stayed for all three meetings and he LOVED it. You know how much I would love to baptize a 60 year old spainard? I would die. It's happening. We're meeting with him again this week too, so we're super excited about that. It was such a miracle.
So I feel super blessed to be in this area, I know I always say that, but it's true. This area has really changed who I am as a missionary. When Hermana Findlay and I got here, we had nothing going. But we've worked and worked and worked. Five weeks later, we had a baptism, 7 investigators at church, and found 7 new investigators. We literally keep seeing miracle after miracle. I've learned how to really truly give my all to the Lord. When this week started, we had high hopes, but we thought there was for sure no way we could get many people to church. We have only had 2 consistently coming since we've gotten here, and one was Jessie. But we prayed really hard, and were super obedient, and we picked up two, and were blessed with 7 total that showed up. It was incredible. We have never been so happy!! So life is good. I love this area. It's really shaped me into the missionary I know I can be. I've learned that God is willing to show us miracles if we will just act, and show our faith. If you're obedient, and willing to be an instrument in His hands, He can do so much. Life is so good. Thanks for everything family!
Love you all!! Have a great week!
Love Hermana Reid
JESSIE GOT BAPTIZED THIS WEEK!!! We literally had an incredible week. I don't even know where to start. So we saw Jessie Wednesday, and she had had the goal to be baptized this weekend but hadn't given us a definite no or yes yet. But on Wednesday she officially decided she would go through with it. We were PUMPED OUTTA OUR MINDS. Anyway, so things got willllldd cuz we had to plan the baptism in like three days haha. We called all the members to invite them and give talks and all that and got everything all figured out super nicely actually, we didn't have any issues. Annnndd after she told us the water was perfectly warm, gooo us!
The baptism was super incredible. Jessie really needed that in her life. One of the other elders baptized her, it was his first time and he totally nailed it. She bore her testimony afterwards about how she has been reading and praying a lot and how she has just felt a lot of peace about being baptized. I was so so happy! We met her only a couple weeks ago, and just like that, she was baptized. It just proves how much God is preparing people to be baptized. And Hermana Findlay was a genius and decided to do a voice recording with Jessie, so I'll send those too. You'll love to hear them.
Also another miracle this week.. so a few weeks ago I told you about a man named Carlos that we met in the street. At first he didn't want to talk to us, but I asked if we could pray with him and he let us. Afterwards, he let us take his number. Well on Saturday he showed up for english class! We talked to him afterwards and helped him a little bit more and then asked if we could share a scripture with him. He was super accepting of everything so we invited him to church the next day too. We got there right as the meeting started, and as I looked around, I couldn't see him there, I was way bummed. I sat and prayed and prayed to God that he would come. But then after the meeting ended, we found him! He had been there the whole time! We just didn't see him when we walked in. He stayed for all three meetings and he LOVED it. You know how much I would love to baptize a 60 year old spainard? I would die. It's happening. We're meeting with him again this week too, so we're super excited about that. It was such a miracle.
So I feel super blessed to be in this area, I know I always say that, but it's true. This area has really changed who I am as a missionary. When Hermana Findlay and I got here, we had nothing going. But we've worked and worked and worked. Five weeks later, we had a baptism, 7 investigators at church, and found 7 new investigators. We literally keep seeing miracle after miracle. I've learned how to really truly give my all to the Lord. When this week started, we had high hopes, but we thought there was for sure no way we could get many people to church. We have only had 2 consistently coming since we've gotten here, and one was Jessie. But we prayed really hard, and were super obedient, and we picked up two, and were blessed with 7 total that showed up. It was incredible. We have never been so happy!! So life is good. I love this area. It's really shaped me into the missionary I know I can be. I've learned that God is willing to show us miracles if we will just act, and show our faith. If you're obedient, and willing to be an instrument in His hands, He can do so much. Life is so good. Thanks for everything family!
Love you all!! Have a great week!
Love Hermana Reid
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
San Sebastian - Week Eighteen
Hey Fam! How is everyone this week? I don't know why but this week seemed like dayzzzz. A bunch of awesome things happened, but it was really long too. Strange. Anywaaay.... I'm still in San Sebastian! Haha. I'm staying another transfer. Wild right? That'll mean I'll have spent 6 months here by the time I leave. Hermana Woodbury and I were super pumped when we found out we had another transfer together. We have so much fun together. Literally loling for dayz up here.
Anyway, this week we saw tons of miracles. Incredible. The first was last Tuesday. For some reason we left piso a little early, and walked to our first cita. We realized we had extra time, so we contacted people on the way. It was way funny cuz the first 5 or 6 people we contacted wouldn't even stop to hear us speak, they'd just say thanks and keep on walking without skipping a beat. Strange people. Anyway, as we walked to the church, we decided to walk a different road than we normally do. We contacted this guy and asked if we could share a message with him (like we do with everyone) and he said yeah okay, where? Both Hermana Woodbury and I were kind of shocked. That never happens. I looked over at Hermana Woodbury not knowing what to say and she goes, well uh, that bench right there? haha. So we sat down with this kid. He's 23 and from Dominican Republic. I can't pronounce his name. But it's something like Jeudi or Algo. Idk. We always just call him miracle man. Haha. I've had him repeat it to me like 3 times and I still didn't get it. The struggles of life.
Anyway, while we were talking, he told us that earlier that morning he had been praying to God to help him, to give him more direction in his life. He talked about how much evil he sees around him and knows he should be going to a church, he basically told us he was searching for the truth. Then he left his apartment and started walking and then we stopped him to talk to him, so he took that as a sign. Hermana Woodbury and I sat there with our jaws dropped. It was incredible. It's just amazing how when you're doing what you're supposed to, God places people in your path. It wasn't like we had some major prompting to walk that road, or to even talk to him. I just have such a testimony that if you're doing the right thing, and being exactly obedient, God will place people in your path and the spirit will guide you. Anyway, he came to church on Sunday and we met with him again yesterday. He's really excited to read the Book of Mormon. I'm excited to see him progress!
Also we had a baptism! Joseph from Congo, who we've been teaching for about three weeks got baptized on Saturday. It was super good. The elders baptized a little girl that night too. This ward is coming alive, we've seen some really great stuff lately. I feel like we are finally seeing the fruits of our labors up here, we feel so blessed. We are going to see some great stuff this month. We have a lot of people that are ready to get in that font!!!
Oh also, another miracle. SO max. This is a good one. So early in the week we met with him and taught him about tithing and fasting. In the middle of our lesson he goes, I'm sorry, can I interrupt? Haha he always does that. But he said that his mom is okay with him being baptized! We were so excited! We had been fasting for his moms heart to be softened. So we planned for him to be baptized for the 18th. Then about three days later, he calls us and says hes moving to Ukraine. (I think it was Friday, and he told us he bought the plane ticket and everything for Monday) I have never been so sad. We were absolutely devastated. The only thing that helped me to not be sad was knowing that some Ukrainian missionaries would be super happy to find out that Max would come, ready to get in that font. Well, then a few days later haha, he calls us again and says that in the end he's not moving haha. Yeah, and you all thought I was indecisive..
So he's staying! He says hes leaving in February, but we will see. He's got a baptismal date for the 25th right now. He's been taught everything, he's just gotta start coming to church, he's so nervous to meet people. But he's so great. Last night we met with him and he looked at me with the biggest smile and said, "I'm so glad you knocked on my door". My heart just melted. I remember that night so well, the first time we met him. I want to see him baptized so bad. He told us he feels so peaceful in the church, he loves meeting with us. After we got back to piso last night he sent us a text and said "thank you, I guess I've found a big family". He's the best. Such a miracle. It's just another example of someone searching for the truth that was put in our hands.
Anyway, I am loving it here. We had some other great stuff, but that was the gist of it. Also I ate gulas again. Be proud. It was a rough round 2. We had a fun new years and new years eve with the members and the elders. I'm super excited to be sticking around another 6 weeks. I love you family! I hope you have a great week!
Love Hermana REEEIIIDDD
You gotta include a selfie...
Anyway, this week we saw tons of miracles. Incredible. The first was last Tuesday. For some reason we left piso a little early, and walked to our first cita. We realized we had extra time, so we contacted people on the way. It was way funny cuz the first 5 or 6 people we contacted wouldn't even stop to hear us speak, they'd just say thanks and keep on walking without skipping a beat. Strange people. Anyway, as we walked to the church, we decided to walk a different road than we normally do. We contacted this guy and asked if we could share a message with him (like we do with everyone) and he said yeah okay, where? Both Hermana Woodbury and I were kind of shocked. That never happens. I looked over at Hermana Woodbury not knowing what to say and she goes, well uh, that bench right there? haha. So we sat down with this kid. He's 23 and from Dominican Republic. I can't pronounce his name. But it's something like Jeudi or Algo. Idk. We always just call him miracle man. Haha. I've had him repeat it to me like 3 times and I still didn't get it. The struggles of life.
Anyway, while we were talking, he told us that earlier that morning he had been praying to God to help him, to give him more direction in his life. He talked about how much evil he sees around him and knows he should be going to a church, he basically told us he was searching for the truth. Then he left his apartment and started walking and then we stopped him to talk to him, so he took that as a sign. Hermana Woodbury and I sat there with our jaws dropped. It was incredible. It's just amazing how when you're doing what you're supposed to, God places people in your path. It wasn't like we had some major prompting to walk that road, or to even talk to him. I just have such a testimony that if you're doing the right thing, and being exactly obedient, God will place people in your path and the spirit will guide you. Anyway, he came to church on Sunday and we met with him again yesterday. He's really excited to read the Book of Mormon. I'm excited to see him progress!
Also we had a baptism! Joseph from Congo, who we've been teaching for about three weeks got baptized on Saturday. It was super good. The elders baptized a little girl that night too. This ward is coming alive, we've seen some really great stuff lately. I feel like we are finally seeing the fruits of our labors up here, we feel so blessed. We are going to see some great stuff this month. We have a lot of people that are ready to get in that font!!!
Oh also, another miracle. SO max. This is a good one. So early in the week we met with him and taught him about tithing and fasting. In the middle of our lesson he goes, I'm sorry, can I interrupt? Haha he always does that. But he said that his mom is okay with him being baptized! We were so excited! We had been fasting for his moms heart to be softened. So we planned for him to be baptized for the 18th. Then about three days later, he calls us and says hes moving to Ukraine. (I think it was Friday, and he told us he bought the plane ticket and everything for Monday) I have never been so sad. We were absolutely devastated. The only thing that helped me to not be sad was knowing that some Ukrainian missionaries would be super happy to find out that Max would come, ready to get in that font. Well, then a few days later haha, he calls us again and says that in the end he's not moving haha. Yeah, and you all thought I was indecisive..
So he's staying! He says hes leaving in February, but we will see. He's got a baptismal date for the 25th right now. He's been taught everything, he's just gotta start coming to church, he's so nervous to meet people. But he's so great. Last night we met with him and he looked at me with the biggest smile and said, "I'm so glad you knocked on my door". My heart just melted. I remember that night so well, the first time we met him. I want to see him baptized so bad. He told us he feels so peaceful in the church, he loves meeting with us. After we got back to piso last night he sent us a text and said "thank you, I guess I've found a big family". He's the best. Such a miracle. It's just another example of someone searching for the truth that was put in our hands.
Anyway, I am loving it here. We had some other great stuff, but that was the gist of it. Also I ate gulas again. Be proud. It was a rough round 2. We had a fun new years and new years eve with the members and the elders. I'm super excited to be sticking around another 6 weeks. I love you family! I hope you have a great week!
Love Hermana REEEIIIDDD
Friday, November 15, 2013
San Sebastian - Week Ten
HEY FAMILY! First off, CONGRATS TYSON AND SHANNON! Those pictures and videos of Makenna are absolutely adorable. I'm sittin here freakin out. She looks so perfect! And shes got the perfect name. I definitely teared up when I saw her full name again. Gahhhh I love that she has my name so so much, WORK IT GIRL WORK IT. haha. I'm so glad shes healthy and that everything went well, I have been praying for you guys all week! What a blessing. Give her lots of love from me por favor.
SOOOO in other good news this week... We had a baptism! Onome got baptized on Saturday! Let me tell you though, getting all of it pulled together was super crazy. I wasn't sure if we were gonna make it through the week. So like I said, Onome wanted to be baptized in the ocean. Luckily we had some really sweet members that offered to look for a calm beach to have it at and offered to drive some people up there. At first, the Bishop wasn't super keen on the beach idea, but we won him over. Anyway, we had to do a bunch of planning with who could come and who could baptize her and who could drive and who would pick her up and drop her off and where she would change clothes.. Literally it was wild. Then we had to figure out everything with her interview and coordinating with the district leader and her interview and we were running wild all week.. But we got it all figured out! Saturday morning, a member picked us and Onome up at her house and took us to a beach that's close to France. It was pretty cold, but luckily not raining. It was only us, Onome, her daughter Johanna, the other elders, and four other members. She looked so gorgeous in her white dress. And she was such a champion for getting in that cold water.. in November haha. I don't think I could have done it. One of the elders baptized her. Elder Green.. actually he knows Cooper! He's from Gilbert, Arizona. Way cool. I forgot to mention that ages ago. Anyway, everything was way smooth. Once she came out we wrapped her all up in warm blankets and drove to a members house to change and go back home! She was super super happy. It was a really incredible experience. She couldn't stop smiling after. While I was there I was thinking, man, there is no where I would rather be than in Spain, (almost in France) at the beach, watching my sweet Onome get baptized. It was the best first baptism ever. When we were walking back to the car after her baptism, Onome told me how a while back she had been praying to God to be baptized because she knew it was important. But she didn't know what to do because everyone spoke Spanish. But then one day we showed up... what a blessing. The gospel is true.
Good news is, she came on time to church on Sunday to be confirmed and everything too! Everything literally couldn't have gone better. It was perfect. I am excited for her, she really needed it in her life.
Anyway, that was the highlight of the week. In other news, (haha I sound so weird and formal saying that..) Cristina (our investigator from Spain) is progressing really well. We talked last night about the baptism interview questions cuz she has a goal for a baptism in two weeks. She felt really good about all the questions. I think she was actually surprised at how ready she really is. Her only hesitancy is with whether or not The Book of Mormon is true and if Joseph Smith is a prophet. Which really, is perfect. She is so set with every thing else. I think it finally clicked for her that she's gotta pray to figure it out for herself. So that's just awesome. I am way excited for her. Shes really good at keeping up on her reading. So keep her in your prayers that she will keep progressing and will get an answer! Anyway, it was such a good week!
I love you so much family! I'm so excited we've got one more little munchkin in our family. She is so precious. Thanks for keeping me involved in the whole thing! I love you! The gospel is so true. Live it, and you'll find out for yourself. God is just waiting to bless us, we just have to ask. Besos for dayzzzz fammmm!
hermana fry
SOOOO in other good news this week... We had a baptism! Onome got baptized on Saturday! Let me tell you though, getting all of it pulled together was super crazy. I wasn't sure if we were gonna make it through the week. So like I said, Onome wanted to be baptized in the ocean. Luckily we had some really sweet members that offered to look for a calm beach to have it at and offered to drive some people up there. At first, the Bishop wasn't super keen on the beach idea, but we won him over. Anyway, we had to do a bunch of planning with who could come and who could baptize her and who could drive and who would pick her up and drop her off and where she would change clothes.. Literally it was wild. Then we had to figure out everything with her interview and coordinating with the district leader and her interview and we were running wild all week.. But we got it all figured out! Saturday morning, a member picked us and Onome up at her house and took us to a beach that's close to France. It was pretty cold, but luckily not raining. It was only us, Onome, her daughter Johanna, the other elders, and four other members. She looked so gorgeous in her white dress. And she was such a champion for getting in that cold water.. in November haha. I don't think I could have done it. One of the elders baptized her. Elder Green.. actually he knows Cooper! He's from Gilbert, Arizona. Way cool. I forgot to mention that ages ago. Anyway, everything was way smooth. Once she came out we wrapped her all up in warm blankets and drove to a members house to change and go back home! She was super super happy. It was a really incredible experience. She couldn't stop smiling after. While I was there I was thinking, man, there is no where I would rather be than in Spain, (almost in France) at the beach, watching my sweet Onome get baptized. It was the best first baptism ever. When we were walking back to the car after her baptism, Onome told me how a while back she had been praying to God to be baptized because she knew it was important. But she didn't know what to do because everyone spoke Spanish. But then one day we showed up... what a blessing. The gospel is true.
Good news is, she came on time to church on Sunday to be confirmed and everything too! Everything literally couldn't have gone better. It was perfect. I am excited for her, she really needed it in her life.
Anyway, that was the highlight of the week. In other news, (haha I sound so weird and formal saying that..) Cristina (our investigator from Spain) is progressing really well. We talked last night about the baptism interview questions cuz she has a goal for a baptism in two weeks. She felt really good about all the questions. I think she was actually surprised at how ready she really is. Her only hesitancy is with whether or not The Book of Mormon is true and if Joseph Smith is a prophet. Which really, is perfect. She is so set with every thing else. I think it finally clicked for her that she's gotta pray to figure it out for herself. So that's just awesome. I am way excited for her. Shes really good at keeping up on her reading. So keep her in your prayers that she will keep progressing and will get an answer! Anyway, it was such a good week!
I love you so much family! I'm so excited we've got one more little munchkin in our family. She is so precious. Thanks for keeping me involved in the whole thing! I love you! The gospel is so true. Live it, and you'll find out for yourself. God is just waiting to bless us, we just have to ask. Besos for dayzzzz fammmm!
hermana fry
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